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NYC’s Polish community preps for 80th anniversary of Warsaw Uprising - Times Square to shine with tribute billboard

26.07.2024 13:15
New York City's Polish community is pulling out all the stops to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising.
Photo:
Photo: Gram X Promotions/Facebook

Highlights include a stunning mural restoration at the Polish National Home in Greenpoint and a dazzling billboard in Times Square on August 1st.

Grzegorz Fryc, president of Gram-X Promotions, spearheaded the mural project in 2014 alongside the Polish Army Veterans Association of America (SWAP). The mural, once vandalized, now stands proudly restored, with the Polish flag donated by President Andrzej Duda and the American flag by U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

"The mural's journey mirrors Warsaw's resilience. Its restoration was covered by major American TV networks, bringing the heroism of Polish fighters to millions of Americans," Fryc said.

The 80th anniversary provided the perfect moment for the mural's revival, funded by SWAP, the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union (PSFCU), and the Polish National Home.

"This mural honors the brave women, men, and teenagers who gave their lives. They will always be remembered," said Marek Chrościelewski, commander of SWAP District 2.

The celebrations kick off with a Warsaw Uprising Mass on Sunday at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church in Manhattan. On August 1, at the symbolic "W" hour (the codename for the date and time that began the Uprising), a Fighting Poland flag will be raised at the PSFCU building.

But the showstopper? A PSFCU-sponsored insurgent billboard lighting up Times Square on the NASDAQ building all day on August 1.

(jh)

Source: PAP